One day God is going to throw the party of all parties for His Son. The book of Revelation calls it The Marriage Supper of the Lamb. In order to participate in this party we must be wearing the right “clothes.” Scripture shows that if we show up to Jesus’ party wearing the works of the flesh – sexual immorality, idolatry, jealousy, fits of anger, etc., we will be kicked out. We will not make it into heaven. In order to participate in the celebration of Jesus for all eternity we must put on Christ and his nature, the fruit of the Spirit. We must be good to be a part of the party. 

What is goodness? Goodness is having an upright heart that blesses others. Goodness is the nature of God. You cannot earn it. It can only be given to you. It is a free gift (Rom 6:23). The fruit of goodness starts at the grace of God saving us when we place our faith in him. But it doesn’t end there. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philip 2:13-14). We must let God work in us. We must put on the clothes. We must die to the works of the flesh (Rom 8:13). Our transformation requires our full-hearted participation. This happens through discipleship – a call to follow Jesus (this begins when we get in the word), a call to fish for the lost, and a call to fellowship with unbelievers.